FORT WORTH -- If Winchester, Rue and Cody Belle had worn their off-the-wall outfits at the ranch they would probably be laughed out of the pasture by other mustangs. But Thursday in the Justin Arena at the Fort Worth Stock Show, these three and seven other mustangs who were styling in a variety of costumes were proud competitors in the mustang costume class.

The mustangs wore their costumes as if they were on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.

Still, Judge Keith Longacre of Glenpool, Okla., needed less than 10 minutes to crown Winchester and Joshua Wiersema, 17, of Flower Mound, the winner for creativity, originality and amount of detail. Winchester wore an authentic Civil War saddle and other gear while Wiersema was decked out in a full U.S. cavalry uniform.

"It's our first win here," Wiersema said shortly after the victory. "I thought we stood a good chance, but you never know what a judge will like."

Wiersema admitted that it didn't take long to come up with the costume, noting that he has been involved with Civil War reenactments in North Texas.

"I'm happy to have won," the Flower Mound teen said.

Winchester showed no emotion.

Finishing second were Rue and Elliot Holstzman of Argyle. The mustang wore rain drops made of blue paper while Holstzman was decked out in rain boots and a rain coat.

Other horses were dressed as a skeleton, Batman, Superman, a unicorn, a deer hunter and a poodle. Wiersema acknowledged that Winchester and a few of his mustang buddies at the Stock Show had worn the costumes at least once before. "We went trick-or-treating in October," he said. "We just rode to houses in costumes."